Activities at Pentland View Care Home

We have greatly enjoyed our blocks of Play Away music sessions here in the home. 

These intergenerational music classes never fail to put a smile on everyone’s faces and to get us singing, playing and moving along. It’s our time to “grow down” and enjoy the simple pleasures of making music and remembering many of the songs that we used to sing with our own children.

Recently, we said goodbye to a face that has graced Pentland View for 20 years! Loredana worked pretty much every position in the home over the years, ending her time with us as a much-loved nurse. With her sister-in-law, Anca, (also a former employee as head chef at Pentland View) she has opened a new café in the town, 4UBistro. 

As we miss them a lot, we decided to pop down to say hello and show our support, while also sampling the delicious food and coffees. In her usual style, Loredana met us at the door and was filling our table with tasty treats before we could even order! As you can see, it was a very happy reunion.

It was time to don our fascinators and glad rags we Pentland View celebrated Ladies’ Day at Royal Ascot. The day began with a pamper for the ladies, including make-up and nails being done in the beautiful setting of our blooming garden. After lunch, our well-dressed residents gathered in the Main Lounge to watch the royal procession at Ascot and coverage leading up to the race. While we waited for the action to happen, we had our own races, with the residents taking on the role of both jockey and horse and doing their best to gather up their roll of newspaper with their feet the fastest. 

It was a lot of fun and a great laugh. After the exertion of the races, we were ready to relax, watch the live event itself, and enjoy tea and coffees from our lovely china sets, along with homemade scones with jam and cream. It was a fun and fancy day at the races!

Residents, guests and staff were treated to a performance by the Wick Arion Choir. This was particularly meaningful to Wilma, who belonged to the choir, herself, for many years. 

Watching her light up and sing along to every song was so special. Everyone enjoyed the performance and many sang and even danced along. 

Willie B, Peter, and Linda enjoyed an outing to Dunnet Forest. This is one of Linda’s favourite spots, having walked the dogs there with her husband over the years. 

As we walked, we chatted, reminisced and soaked in the beautiful sunshine and nature all around us. Afterwards, we stopped for ice cream before heading home.  

Jane, Sandra, and Jeanine spent a Friday evening at the local Mill Theatre enjoying the Thurso Player’s murder mystery. While sipping on red wine (Jeanine was on water), the ladies enjoyed the comedic murder mystery caper, while trying to figure out a “whodunit”. 

It was a lot of fun, especially for Jane and Sandra, who both enjoy a good crime novel! Jane even managed to solve the crime, but then decided on a different scenario. It was a brilliant evening and the ladies are looking forward to the next production.

This month we have had five little ducklings incubate, hatch, and grow at Pentland View, bringing so much joy and fun into the home. The residents were part of the process from the beginning, helping to set up the cage for the hatchlings. 

Marion even managed to witness the first duckling hatch! Arriving on Tuesday and all hatched by Friday, we taught the ducklings to eat, drink, and even to paddle! More than one resident used the phrase, “like ducks to water.” The ducklings made daily visits to r4esidents in their rooms, had plays in the lounges and garden, and enjoyed paddling in a pool brought in especially for them. After being picked up by Incredible Eggs, they will go on to live their lives in a beautiful bird sanctuary in England. We are planning to make this a yearly occurrence. 

There was a lot of egg-citement at the home as five ducklings hatched throughout the first week, with the first hatching being witnessed by resident, Marion Owen. 

Residents were able to pet and feed the ducklings as they found their footing in their temporary home. In addition to teaching the ducklings how to eat and drink, the residents also enjoyed watching them as they learned to paddle and dive in a pool provided by activities coordinator, Jeanine Sinclair. 

Pentland View is hosting a block of Play Away music sessions. During these sessions, the residents enjoy interacting with children and their accompanying adults, playing instruments, dancing, and singing songs. It’s amazing how many of the songs come back to us as we sing along! 

These sessions are full of laughter, dancing, singing, fun, and, of course, music!